washedD1soccer

Regional Sales Manager

“Hey I know you’re on vacation but...”

I got three messages/texts on the same day that all started with this. Is this just something in American culture that has to be accepted? I get being in sales can require above and beyond time and effort to make great money.

However, the very little time off we all take never seems to be respected whether it is clients, co-workers or bosses. I find it hilarious that upper management will always seem to encourage taking time off, but if that month's numbers are missed, upper management suddenly gets amnesia regardless of where you are YTD.

Is this just how it will always be or is there any hope for sales culture to change? Do we all accept this because we believe that if we aren't always available our sales numbers will drop?

Note: I didn't question this as much until I had kids and it put a huge focus on this for me.

💆‍♂ Mindset

19

18 comments

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CoorsKing

WR Officer

9

Retired King of the Coors Knights

My new manager told us all on day 1: "if you take PTO, you better NOT bring ANY work device. Put me in your OOO, I will completely cover for you. I do not want you even thinking about work while on PTO."

I took a full week off and he did indeed cover. Granted I am brand new so didn't have too much to pick up, but it was super nice and was the first time I have completely disconnected in 5 years.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

5

🦊

I include someone to contact in my OOO both internally and externally. If I'm actually taking a full week of vaca you best believe I'm turning all my electronics off. Isn't that the point of vacation?

ColdCallHotCoffee

Politicker

1

TSR

Sometimes I just don’t respond if its only 1 day off. The next morning.. “Sorry, I was off yesterday.”

goose

Politicker

1

Sales Executive

I think you might be overreacting.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

1

SaaS Eater

I set the precedent before I leave that I wont have cell reception/wifi (whether its true or not) and then ignore anything that comes in. Ive come to realize Im not that important and neither is anything else. If someone needs something that badly they will figure out how to get it without me.

Fenderbaum

Politicker

1

Retired Choirboy🪕

Turn 'em off. It's a must.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

MuSt

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

1

MDR

I include someone to contact in my OOO both internally and externally.

FlintIronstag

Notorious Answer

0

Chief Marketing Officer

Yeah this is America. Don't catch you slippin' now Don't catch you slippin' now Look what I'm whippin' now This is America (woo) Don't catch you slippin' now Don't catch you slippin' now Look what I'm whippin' now

Do.it.for.the.checks

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Psh this socialist thinks that hard work is outdated. Vacation just means you're calender is free so you can respond to requests faster!

But seriously, I schedule 2 hours a day on vacation to work... life of sales is a bitch sometimes

SaaSam

Politicker

0

Account Executive

I've just learned to be a dick when responding to those messages and People stop sending them. Then again I'm not gunning for a promotion either. Depends on what your goals are within the company

FeedTheKids

Politicker

0

Solutions Consultant

If a vacation gets taken - I usually check emails in the morning for hi priority shit.

If worth a response I'll loop in a colleague to help out if needed.

If it's not a deal that can be closed ~7 day upon return to work, it can usually wait.

UserNotFound

Politicker

0

Account Executive

My company is one of those "unlimited PTO" kind of places which, roughly translated, means 'there's no such thing as a vacation day, just sometimes days that your OOO is on but we still expect expeditious replies'.

I've learned to deal with it. However, vacation days are for responses only, no outbound prospecting or proactive outreach unless I want to.

Bittersweet0326

Politicker

0

Digital Business Associate

It depends on if it's a legit vacation with the family or if not. I won't answer until I get back if I'm on vacation, but if I'm not actually busy I might respond. The only way the sales culture changes is when you everyone stops responding.

happyhunter

Politicker

0

spittin' sunshine

You have the right to 100% check out. Don't respond to the texts or emails. Disconnect and enjoy your family. It's time we change the way the US views vacations and holiday time!!! You deserve and have the right to disconnect completely!

American PTO culture is FUCKED. I worked in Australia for a couple of years (part time so I didn't have benefits) and one day our marketing director stopped coming to work. Legit thought she had been fired as I didn't see her for like six weeks. Then one day, she showed up to work. I was like WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?! Turns out she used 6 of her 8 weeks of PTO to travel to Bali. Just a casual six weeks off, with still two weeks to burn later on in the year....

An American friend of mine married an Aussie and moved to Melbourne. Both working in the healthcare industry, they saved up their PTO for a couple of years and he and his wife took six months for their honeymoon to travel from the US all the way down to Anarctica. Can you imagine a six month honeymoon!? While still getting paid in full every two weeks!!!! And they both still had their jobs when they returned (and 12 weeks PTO every year).

The way America views work, PTO, and mental health is very out of touch with what the rest of the world is doing. Take your days off and enjoy them to the fullest.

KendallRoy

Politicker

0

AM

Would absolutely never work for a company like this. Our manager steps in for PTO and the team takes care of things that come up on a volunteer or round robin basis. We keep territory warm for colleagues for months at a time for maternity leave etc

Error32

Politicker

0

ISR

You definitely need to make sure you maximize your "On time" and get shit done and can be present with the kids during your "Off time"

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